We've all heard the old "saw" that there is incredible power in setting goals.

Paul, the quintessential missionary and apostle, shared a few goals that he had most of his converted life. Can you think where his insightful goal statement is? Read with me what he wrote in his prison letter to the Philippians. Here's what Scripture records:

Philippians 3:10-11 – That I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. (ESV)

Can you count how many goals Paul set for himself?

Setting goals is one thing; keeping them is quite another.

Yet, if we read some of Paul's writings or what his travelling companion, Dr. Luke, records about him, very quickly we see that Paul did not waver from striving for his goals.

In fact if you keep on reading, you'll see that Paul urged himself to "press on".

Philippians 3:13-14 – Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (ESV)

No doubt, he had his goal or goals ever before him. How did he do it, you ask? Paul had a plan. He stayed on track, and he kept going!

What are our goals in the matter of faith and service for God, for His church, for your city or town? Let us re-read Philippians 3:10-11 and make a plan, stay on track, and not stop until each of us reaches our goals.

Try this prayer: God of all creation, You set a goal so long ago, a goal that focused on the redemption of mankind. Thank You for staying with Your goal, and thank You for including me in Your plans. Help me to stay on track today, for I ask this in my Saviour's name. Amen.

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About the author:

Karl Csaszar <csaszar1@nb.sympatico.ca>
New Maryland, New Brunswick, Canada
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